Macaroni and Cheese Cups

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Simple and easy to make, these baked Macaroni and Cheese Cups make a perfect appetizer, side dish, or lunchbox entree. Full of classic mac and cheese flavors; these cheesy, creamy, salty-sweet bite-sized noshes are absolutely delicious!

Baked mac and cheese cup on circular white plate with bite taken out of it.

These little bites of pure comfort food are always a hit! No matter when I serve them, people always rave about them and are the first thing to disappear. But there is something fun about finger food appetizers like Zucchini Pizza Bites, Individual 7-Layer Cups, and Beef Enchilada Cups, and these baked Macaroni and Cheese Cups are no different.

Seriously, when food is portable, it just tastes better!

These baked cups are made from scratch with simple pantry staples! Tender elbow macaroni is smothered in an easy rich and creamy homemade cheddar cheese sauce full of crispy bacon and sweet peas and topped with freshly grated Parmesan. These little nuggets are then baked to golden-brown perfection. The result is an irresistible handheld, portable bite that is perfectly crisp on the outside, and deliciously moist on the inside.

So, whether you’re making for your kid’s lunches or looking to display at your next holiday get-together, these mini cups will satisfy all your comfort food cravings in a single bite.

Why You’ll Love This Portable Recipe

  • Uses simple pantry staples
  • Requires only 15 minutes of hands-on prep!
  • Easy to make and portable
  • Perfect to serve as an appetizer, in lunch boxes, or as a tasty snack
  • Oh, and those crispy, cheesy edges are the best
Baked mac and cheese cup on a circular white plate.

Key Ingredients For This Recipe

PASTA: Any shaped pasta will work but I like to use the classic macaroni noodle.

MILK: You can use regular milk or lactose-free milk. To keep this macaroni and cheese lower in calories, feel free to use fat-free (skim) milk, but any type of milk will work.

SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE: Sharp cheddar cheese has a strong, salty taste that pairs wonderfully with the nutty Parmesan. To ensure that the cheese will properly melt, I recommend buying a block of cheddar and shredding yourself using a box grater.

PEAS: Frozen peas are flash steamed before being packed, and therefore, they retain their fresh natural sweet flavors and bright green color. If you’d prefer to use canned peas feel free; just be sure to drain well before adding to recipe.

PARMESAN: Parmesan Cheese is a hard Italian cheese that has a rich nutty flavor. For the freshest, most flavorful cheese, purchase a pre-cut wedge and grate yourself using a box grater. If the flavor of Parmesan is too strong, feel free to use Pecorino Romano.

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:

  • Egg
  • Bacon
Macaroni and Cheese cups, baked in a muffin tin with two removed and on two circular white plates.

How To Make This Easy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

This macaroni and cheese cup recipe requires only 15-minutes of hands-on prep then you let the oven do the rest!

PREHEAT OVEN AND PREP: Preheat the oven to 375°F and spray a 12 cup muffin tin with looking spray. Set aside. 

COOK PASTA: In a large pot, boil water. Add pasta and cook for 7 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain well. 

PREPARE CHEESE SAUCE: While the pasta is cooking, in a large bowl, whisk together the milk and egg. 

ASSEMBLE CUPS: Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add to the bowl with the milk and egg mixture. Stir in cheddar cheese, bacon, and peas. Mix until cheese is melted. Spoon mac and cheese into the prepared muffin tin and top each with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. 

BAKE: Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden-brown. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

  • Freshly grate the cheddar cheese and Parmesan to ensure freshest quality and best meltability
  • Use traditional macaroni pasta or any shape you prefer
  • For easier clean-up, line each muffin crevice with a paper liner then fill.
  • Top with a breadcrumb Parmesan mixture for an added crunch
  • If the cups do not easily come out of the pan, gently use a butter knife to loosen them.

FAQs

How do I store leftovers?

Store any leftover macaroni and cheese cups in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days.

Can these cups be frozen?

These baked macaroni and cheese cups are a wonderful freezer-friendly dish! Once baked, place on a wax paper-lined baking sheet and freeze for 4-6 hours until frozen. Once frozen, store them in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge or heat in the microwave for 1 minute or until warmed.

How do I know when these macaroni and cheese cups are done?

These macaroni and cheese cups are done cooking when the cheese is bubbling, the tops are golden-brown, and the edges are slightly crispy.

Can I make these baked mac and cheese cups richer?

Sure can! To add an additional element of creaminess and to ensure these cups come out rich every time, use a ½ cup of sour cream and ½ cup of milk, half and half, or heavy cream instead of the whole cup of milk that the recipe calls for.

More Hand-Held Recipes To Try:

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Macaroni and Cheese Cups

Course: Appetizer, Pasta, Snack
Macaroni and Cheese Cups -baking macaroni and cheese in a muffin tin makes them fun to eat and best of all- portable!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 27 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes
Servings: 12
Author: Countryside Cravings
Print Recipe Save Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease or spray a 12 cup muffin tin, set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add in pasta and cook for 7 minutes, DON’T OVERCOOK. Drain well. While the pasta is boiling get the remaining ingredients ready. Whisk together the milk and egg. Add to the drained pasta along with the cheddar cheese, bacon and peas. Stir until cheese is melted. Spoon in prepared muffin tin and top each with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool 10 minutes before removing from pan.

Notes

These can be individually wrapped in foil and froze. Just reheat in the microwave.

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